What a Tangled Web We Weave

"What a Tangled Web We Weave"
Season	Survivor: Tarutao
Author	IAmNothing712
Episode Number	11/14
Episode Chronology
Previous	"I Can't Forgive"
Next	"Devil's Advocate"

This is the eleventh episode of Survivor: Tarutao.

Previously on Survivor

Aries and Helena clashed because Aries tried to vote Megan out. The next day, Aries tries to make more bold moves by trying to conspire with the rest of the males by splitting the votes between Helena and Megan, who had the Hidden Immunity Idol. Sensing that Aries is getting too power-hungry, Colin and Donny regrouped the Naak alliance by making a final four deal with Megan and Helena, who admitted they had two idols. To not blow their cover, they voted with Aries, when he suggested to swerve the vote on fellow Naak, Morrison, the oldest and most likable of the remaining castaways to make sure that even if Aries makes it to the end, Morrison would come after him. Seven are left, who will be voted out tonight?

Challenges

Reward Challenge: Deep in Thought
The survivors must dive underwater and collect bags of puzzle pieces, that once formed, will reveal a mathematical riddle. The answer to the question is a combination to a locked mechanism. Once the combination is guessed correctly, their flag will rise. First three players to raise their flag, wins reward.
Reward: The first three players to finish the challenge would have the right to eat the food all seven contestants cooked. The three winners will then select a fourth tribemate to eat with them.
Winners (according to finish): Colin, Donny, Helena (chose to take Aries with them)

Immunity Challenge: I Love You, Pole! (Mark II)
Each player would hug a log with narrow footholds that is suspended over a pool of water for as long as they can. Every five minutes, the survivors would step down on the next narrower foot hold. After reaching the final foothold at the appointed time, it's a fight to the finish. Last person left on a pole wins immunity.
Winner: Brody

Story

Night 29

After a heart-wrenching Tribal Council, when the Naak alliance cannibalized Morrison, the secret final four alliance between Megan, Helena, Colin and Donny congratulate themselves, because none of them would take the heat from Morrison because they all know it was Aries who instigated the plan to take the peanut farmer out. Meanwhile, at the beach, Aries is trembling, because Morrison thought of him as his closest ally. Now, he becomes nervous on how bitter Morrison would become at the Final Tribal Council.

“	I made a deal for a jury vote, now I lost one. I am very nervous on what Morrison has to say. That blindside is so vicious, I don't know how to look at Morrison without shame. I started as the leader of Naak, who treated Helena like a sockpuppet. Now I have fallen from grace. This sucks.	”
–Aries

Meanwhile, Paul and Brody, the only remaining outsiders talk strategy. Brody proposes that they should try convince Megan to fight for Jarakay's cause once again, because neither guys can stand a chance by what Megan has evolved into, from tribe vermin, to strategic threat.

“	Our backs are against the wall at this point, so our only choice is to beg for Megan's forgiveness, and hopefully, she fights for Jarakay once again. Chances are slim if you ask me, but this is the only card I have left. If it goes in vain, it's been real, and it's been fun.	”
–Brody

Day 30

Hungry and groggy, the seven remaining tribe members daydream about food. Megan, a food technologist by profession, starts by giving them recipe tips, on baking and also cooking their camp food. Out of boredom, Helena checks out their Tree Mail, and shrieks for joy after seeing a basket containing meat, fish, herbs and spices. While the food supply is in front of them, much to their dismay, a note says while they are instructed to cook the food, they are not allowed to eat them.

“	We have food items in our tree mail, and there's a note that says we have to cook them, but we can't eat them. I assume we have to compete for this one through a Reward Challenge.	”
–Megan

While Brody and Megan cook the food items, Brody talks game to Megan, asking her if there is any chance she could flip back to Jarakay, Megan states that she no longer considers the option, but she will let her know if she sniffs something against her.

“	I know persuading Megan to join back to Jarakay would be like pulling teeth, but I do hope she see me and Paul as non-threats.	”
–Brody

The Chalam tribe brings their cooked food items at the Reward Challenge, where they meet Jeff Probst, where he tells the tribe that the winning three players would enjoy the reward, much to the tribe's chagrin. The tribe's best swimmers, Colin, Donny and Helena finish first, second and third respectively, winning themselves reward. Jeff then gives them the privilege to bring in one more tribemate to their lunch. As the three winners deliberate, Megan expects to bring her. But as a strategic move, the three decide that if they bring Megan, Aries, Brody and Paul might realize their final four plot. As a protective measure, Helena tells Jeff they would bring Aries with them. Megan understands the situation, but is still visibly annoyed for not being picked.

“	My Survivor insticts tell me to calm myself down and just understand they are just doing strategy. But for some reason, I am pissed off, because three of my friends get to eat, while I starve at camp, and live with people I don't like!	”
–Megan

“	Ooh, what a tangled web we weave! I hope Megan won't do something to make one of us leave!	”
–Donny

“	I must say, Megan is utterly pissed off after we didn't get to pick her. We need to explain to her we need to make Aries as comfortable as possible.	”
–Helena

Back at camp, while Paul is out at sea, fishing, Brody talks to Megan, saying that it was apparent that Naak is still together, and she has been played. Facing a dilemma, Megan is conflicted as to who would she trust.

“	The Reward Challenge just turned my game upside down. I now have thoughts on Naak pulling one on me to easily take the Jarakay people out. On the other hand, there is Paul and Brody who kept trying to get my forgiveness and use my idol to save them. In this game, there is really no certainty.	”
–Megan

Meanwhile, at the feast, the four ex-Naak members enjoy their lunch, where Aries thanks the winners for bringing him. Aries then brings the topic of splitting the vote between Brody and Paul in case Megan uses her idol. Helena is visibly distraught, because she wasn't able to notify Megan the reason why they chose not to choose her.

“	What we did was a strategic move. But this small gesture could spell trouble. Any trouble, not matter big or small, is still trouble.	”
–Helena

The reward winners agree to save some food for their tribemates back at camp. 

Returning to camp from the reward, the winners see Megan taking a nap in the shelter while Paul is still at sea, while Brody is collecting water. Helena pulls Megan aside, and discuss with her their decision to take Aries instead of her. Megan tells her to calm down, because she understands the situation, and their plan to oust Brody and Paul is still in place.

“	I napped my frustrations the whole day. When I woke up, I felt good. My head's in a good place. I fully understood what Helena, Donny and Colin had to do to keep our deal under wraps.	”
–Megan

Day 31

The seven remaining Chalam tribe members meet Probst for the next Immunity Challenge, which is another Survivor classic, but with a twist: The poles are much narrower, and are over a pit of water. Donny accidentally slips off the pole, sending him to the pool below and eliminating him from the challenge. Helena, Colin, Megan and Aries are next to fall off, leaving Brody and Paul in contention for winning immunity. Paul asks Brody if they can settle the challenge using a game of rock-paper-scissors. Brody refuses. 45 minutes into the challenge, the two men remain hanging on, until Paul tries to climb to reach a higher foothold, but slips. The licensed arms dealer wins immunity. 

Aries is approached by Paul, if there is something he could do to stay longer in the game. Aries tells him that while he is still finding a way to oust Megan and Helena, he still cannot make a move early because. Aries tells him he could persuade Colin and Donny to split the votes between Megan and Helena, but he is not promising anything. Megan, who happens to walk pass by, overhears the whole thing.

“	Aries thinks he is still running the show, but he has no idea how his deals with the enemy had his alliance lose respect in him. I think it's time for Aries to know where he really stands in this game.	”
–Megan

Megan tattles to Helena everything she heard. Helena insists they tell this to the boys, and she hatches a new plan.

“	Megan already proved she could also be a potential threat in this game. But now, with this bomb I'm planning to plant tonight at Tribal, Aries' schemes will blow to his face. Badly.	”
–Helena

Helena and Megan approach Colin and Donny, telling them about Aries making deals with Jarakay once again. Helena proposes that Donny and Colin should do whatever Aries wants them to do, because she and Megan would use their idols, and they would vote for Paul. Colin asks them if their is the right time to vote Aries instead. Helena explains that Paul is a bigger physical threat, and in a degree, he has not hurt anybody on the jury.

An hour before Tribal Council, Aries tells Colin and Donny about his plan to split the vote between Megan and Helena to defuse the power of the idol. Aries explains that if they don't agree, he will not take it against them. Both guys seem to agree with the history teacher.

“	It's hard to keep a straight face while trying to agree with Aries. I hope Aries gets humbler after the craziness that we will unleash tonight.	”
–Colin

At Tribal Council, while the men follow Aries' lead, Megan and Helena unleash their Hidden Immunity Idols, much to Aries' surprise. The split vote is voided, leaving the girls votes for Paul the only valid votes, sending the pizza delivery boy home. As Paul walks away from Tribal Council, Aries is still in shock, while Helena and Megan smirk at him.

Tribal Council

Tribal Council 12: Chalam
Voted Against	Voter
Helena (used Hidden Immunity Idol)	Aries, Colin, & Donny (votes not counted)
Megan (used Hidden Immunity Idol)	Brody & Paul (votes not counted)
Paul (2 votes)	Helena & Megan
VOTED OFF: Paul Waller

Next Time on Survivor

• With his chances of survival dimming, Aries joins Brody in the fight to stay alive.
• As the game nears to its end, everyone starts to think about their endgame.